Robert Parker, Public Information Officer, Western Region, 540-381-7100, x151 or 540-580-2960

SEASONAL FLU VACCINE AVAILABLE AT DECEMBER CLINICS

(LEBANON, Va.) – In the setting of rising flu activity in our region and a continued good supply of flu vaccine, the Cumberland Plateau Health District will offer seasonal flu vaccine to everyone ages six months and up at a series of vaccine clinics in December:

For those with healthcare insurance, the insurance will be billed; however, there will be no additional charge over what the insurance provider will pay. “Those without insurance will receive the vaccine without charge,” said Dr. John Dreyzehner, M.D., director, Cumberland Plateau Health District. This vaccine was made available through an ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) program obtained by the Virginia Department of Health. “Remember, you can be spreading the flu for 24 hours before you even feel sick, getting a flu vaccine is not just about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting vulnerable people around you your children, grandchildren, grandparents and others who may be particularly vulnerable,” said Dr. Dreyzehner.

Influenza, or “the flu,” is a highly-contagious respiratory disease. Typical flu symptoms include fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue. The flu season in southwest Virginia usually peaks in January and February. Each year in the United States approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized due to flu illness, and flu-related deaths range from 3,000 to 49,000 each year -- averaging 24, 000 -- over the last three decades.

Annual vaccination is recommended for everyone over six months of age, and is especially recommended for the following high-risk groups:

Persons at high risk for complications, including children ages six months to five years, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, and people who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications, including household contacts of persons at high risk, household contacts and caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated as their bodies will not respond to the vaccine well enough to be helpful, it is not a safety issue), and health care workers.

For more information, call your local health department listed above, or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.